Cat isn't eating, very lethargic, etc.

Hello,
My 7mo cat stopped eating about 48 hours ago. He was also vomiting a lot of bile. Well, I took him to the vet yesterday, and they did an xray to see if he had a foreign object obstruction, that came back inconclusive. They didn't feel any hardness in his bladder, and he didn't flinch when they pressed his belly, so they gave him so anti-nausea medication and said we'd treat it like gastroenteritis, come back tomorrow if he doesn't eat by morning. Well, the vomiting stopped, and he licked a little gravy, ate 1 bite of tuna fish, but smacked on it weird. So since he's still not acting quite right I took him back today. They checked his mouth said it looked fine, and started pressing on points all over his body. They touched one spot on his back, and he went ballistic. So the vet says it's called hyperesthesia syndrome. He gave me Metacam for pain and Cyproheptadine to stimulate his appetite. Now as soon as I got him home he ate just a very little bit, then he started walking around the house crying and smacking his mouth like he was drooling maybe. He walked into his litter box three times. He is settled down now and I can't for the life of me find the painful spot on his back. Does anyone have any ideas about what could be going on?

Smacking the lips is pretty classic with nausea.  Appetite stimulants will sometimes cause weird behavior in cats which would explain walking into things.  Your kitty needs to eat to avoid liver issues.  You may need to syringe feed him.  There are videos on youtube that show how to do it.  The main thing is to use the side of the mouth and go slow.  You will want to use a smooth pate, some of them are so thick that they need to be thinned a little with water.

I don't like using metacam for pain in cats.  I know a lot of vets prescribe it and it is actually off label use.  For cats it is limited to a one time shot after surgery.  Metacam is an NSAID and the cat's liver can't metabolize it so the kidneys do all the work.  The best pain reliever for kitties is Buprenex.  I think a lot of vets use Metacam rather than the opiate.

These gastro issues can be devilishly difficult to diagnose.  He may have acid buildup from the empty tummy.  You can give Pepcid to help with the acid buildup.  Regular strenghth, I think it's 10 mg and not the complete.  I have given 1/2 pill twice a day.

Thank you for responding. I will definitely look up some syringe feeding videos.
Also that's what I was worried about with the Metacam. Especially since I don't feel like hyperesthesia syndrome is what's really wrong here, and that it may be something internal. Perhaps I should see a different vet.

Yes, I've never heard of hyperesthesea syndrome causing lack of appetite and lethargy.  Or even pain!   They gave him an anti-emetic, but did they give him an appetite stimulant?  How about sub-q fluids?  Did they give him any of those.  I'm guessing he may even be dehydrated by now, or is he drinking okay?

Here is a video done by one of our  member showing how she syringe feeds:  http://www.thecatsite.com/t/227858/syringe-feeding-lucky-video-if-your-cat-is-not-eating

I'd never even heard of the syndrome until today, so of course I didn't question it until I got out of the office. After researching it, I feel like the symptoms are entirely different from what he is experiencing.

As for what they've given him, they did give an appetite stimulant, but no fluids. He doesn't seem dehydrated as his gums are pink, skin snaps back, and he seems to be peeing okay. He has been drinking okay, but not out of his usual fountain. He seems to like the bowl better right now (which I feel it is a bit easier to monitor his intake that way). He has been going to it on his own for the most part, but I bring it to him also.

Thank you for the video!

I would like to update everyone that happens to read this post. I syringe fed my kitty last night, and today I took him to a different vet. This vet did a very thorough work-up. His blood work was perfectly fine, urinalysis was perfectly fine. Turns out my kitty decided to eat some of his cat litter! So now he has what is supposed to be a stronger appetite stimulant, and they gave him a shot of antibiotics just in case. I have to say I am very relieved by those test results, but it's not over until he is actually eating. The vet said if he isn't eating by Wednesday, then we'll have to figure something out. Either way, this will hopefully keep me sane through the weekend.   Come on kitty cat! EAT!

Have you tried tempting him with Gerber baby food, the meats? Cats can't hardly resist it, most love it!

That's probably the only thing I haven't tried! I'll pick up a jar or two when I head to the store in a little bit, and try that.

secludedchic said:

 
I would like to update everyone that happens to read this post. I syringe fed my kitty last night, and today I took him to a different vet. This vet did a very thorough work-up. His blood work was perfectly fine, urinalysis was perfectly fine. Turns out my kitty decided to eat some of his cat litter! So now he has what is supposed to be a stronger appetite stimulant, and they gave him a shot of antibiotics just in case. I have to say I am very relieved by those test results, but it's not over until he is actually eating. The vet said if he isn't eating by Wednesday, then we'll have to figure something out. Either way, this will hopefully keep me sane through the weekend. 

 Come on kitty cat! EAT!

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Did you tell the Vet he ate some of his cat litter?  Is it CLAY litter or the clumping kind?  Cat's who eat litter do this for a reason.  It is sometimes a sign of anemia    Did they do a COMPLETE blood workup, or just a partial.  I would say if they did NOT test his H & H and  RBC, they need to. 

The vet found the cat litter, I had no idea. They did do a full blood work-up, and the litter I use is clumping. 

That's interesting ...HOW did the Vet find the cat litter to know he'd been eating it .  If it's the clumping kind, did it cause a blockage of some sort?  Is that the problem?  Wait a minutes...in your original post you said they checked for a blockage and it was "inconclusive".  What happened with the 2nd Vet on that part?  And Wednesday is an awful long time from now to wait to see if he eats!  You're to continue syringe feeding him, right?  I mean, you ARE, but did the Vet say so?  Did he give you some A/D to use for the feeding?  Is your furbaby acting like he's feeling a little better, or not?  What's his name, BTW? 

Is he peeing and now pooping since you are getting some food in him?  Is that litter coming OUT?  You should probably check his poop to see.  That is worrisome to me...can you give more info on the ingestion of the litter?  Did they advise you to be on the lookout for litter coming out?  

My baby's name is Spock. They did another set of x-rays (sorry I wasn't specific) today, and found the litter. He said it wasn't blocking and didn't look like much/shouldn't be anything to worry about, but is the only thing he found on any of the tests he did. I have no idea when he ingested it, I've been watching him very closely since this fiasco began, and I haven't actually seen him eat it. He instructed me not to force feed him, and give him soft food only for awhile. Of course if he doesn't eat with this medication, I'm not sure if I'll have a choice. As for Spocky Spock, he is acting a little better/being a bit more like his usual self. I.e. he drank out of his water fountain, followed me all over the house, snuggled a little, even pounced on some toys. He is still peeing, and he has been pooping it has just been diarrhea. 

OK, this is crazy.  Spock CANNOT go until next Wednesday without eating   Canned food is good, but ONLY IF HE EATS IT .  What did this new Vet say about that, other than the fact that if he doesn't eat by Wednesday then you'll have to think of something else.  Cats simply cannot go very long (as in 24 to 36 hours) without eating or they get something called Fatty Liver, which can be deadly.  I know, one of my cats got it, and there have been several cats on this site who have had it or have it now.  Once they get it, they literally cannot eat and usually require a feeding tube.  My baby had one for four month, and sadly, didn't make it

And when I say they need to eat, I mean they need to eat probably at least 2/3 of their regular amount of food to be on the safe side.    Let's hope and pray this new appetite stimulant kicks in .  I'm glad he seems to be feeling a little better at least.

Oh no, I'm sorry for your loss.  The fatty liver disease risk is the reason I took him to the vet on day one, we definitely do not want that! The scary part is that the first vet I saw, said during yesterday's visit "He'll be fine if he decides not to eat until Monday." I've read the stories, and I don't feel like it's a risk that should just be brushed aside. The new vet didn't mention fatty liver either. Which frustrated me a little, but I'm trying to be confident in the stimulant, although he hasn't eaten yet. On a sidenote, I'm wondering if so far it hasn't been found to be a physical issue, is it possible that it could be mental? I feel like I'm running in circles. 

I hate to scare you, but fatty liver disease is a very real concern. I agree with @mrsgreenjeens that your cat CANNOT wait until Wednesday if he is not eating enough food on his own.  Quite recently we had a new member join whose vet also did not think assist feeding or a feeding tube was necessary. The story is here. http://www.thecatsite.com/t/272955/need-any-and-all-possible-suggestions and it is not a happy ending. While the appetite stimulant may work, until it kicks in and he is eating enough on his own, I would still syringe feed until he is.

Okay, I will not stop the syringe feeding!

Unfortunately many vets do not take the fatty liver disease threat seriously.  I have a kitty that had it, fortunately he did make it.  I did the vet hopping thing with him for several years because of chronic digestive issues.  I even asked a vet at a feline only clinic, although I am sure she wasn't a feline specialist, about fatty liver.  She said it wasn't a concern because he wasn't overweight.  The next time he was very ill I waited too long, took him to a true feline specialist and by then he had fatty liver.  I think many vets feel that only overweight kitties can get it.  It is true that overweight kitties are more prone to it but any kitty can get it.

Hi, just reading through your thread and share everyone's worries over your little Spock.  He is not fat, and many vets will see the main risk for fatty liver being with heavier cats and with older cats, however risks are still present for very young cats not eating too.  One of the difficulties is that when a cat hasn't eaten for around 24 hours or more they will start to feel nauseous and not want food and will loose their apatite - they very often need to be assist fed to start eating again, particularly if they have that nauseous feeling.  Just think about what it feels like for us humans when we feel like that!  If your young cat is not eating 2/3 of his food like @mrsgreenjeans has said I would look to continue with assist feeding, whether you need to do this with a syringe, or if you can start to get him to take food from your fingers or a small spoon to tempt him.  It is good that he has started to show a little more interest in things and that his energy has picked up a bit and he needs to take in nourishment to keep that up.  I hope he continues to improve and you have a bouncing Spocky Spock back very soon.  

I believe you are doing the right thing for him by continuing to give him this bit of extra support until he eats on his own.  Well done for looking out for him.

Now then, the only thing at this point that I would caution about is if he starts projectile vomiting or straining in the litter box, that could mean that litter he ate is creating a blockage.  Let's hope it's passing on thru in the diarrhea

that he feels like himself very, very soon.  I'm sure you're on needles and pins

I sure am on needles and pins! Thank you all for the support!   On top of the syringe feeding, it looks like the pill has kicked in. He's acting hungry, but not too sure about swallowing it. He has; however, swallowed a piece of scrambled egg, a few tuna treats, the gravy off his soft food, and even though the vet said soft food only he begged for dry kibble so I gave him a little and he swallowed a few bites of that too. All after chewing of course! I know it's not enough, but I think it's a start.